Dirk Kuyt Announces Retirement from Football After 19 Years

Dirk Kuyt has announced his retirement from football after helping Feyenoord win this season's Eredivisie title.

The former Liverpool striker confirmed his decision on Wednesday, days after scoring a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Heracles that secured the club's first league title since 1999, per Kristof Terreur of Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws:

Kristof Terreur 📰 @HLNinEngeland

Retiring as a champion: Dirk Kuyt has announced his retirement from football after he led Feyenoord to the title with a hat-trick. #lfc https://t.co/2Fz5UpcjlQ

Kuyt leaves the game as a league champion after inspiring Feyenoord to the title in his second spell with the club. His goals to win the league also confirmed his distinction as the most efficient marksman during his time in the Dutch top flight, per OptaJohan:

OptaJohan @OptaJohan

1 - Dirk @Kuyt has scored more goals (147) and more hattricks (9) than any other Eredivisie player this century. Legend. https://t.co/zQmuVwke0V

Kuyt first left Feyenoord in 2006 to join Premier League side Liverpool. He helped the Reds to a UEFA Champions League final appearance in his first season, where he scored in a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan. The former Netherlands international also won the Carling Cup with Liverpool in 2012.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo saluted the commitment the forward showed during his stint with the Merseyside club:

James Pearce @JamesPearceEcho

Always remember Dirk Kuyt being the last #LFC player to leave Wembley after 2012 League Cup final. Meant so much to him. A great man.

Yet the 36-year-old will ultimately be remembered best for what he achieved in Rotterdam. He returned to Feyenoord in 2015, and his experience and eye for goal have proved invaluable for manager and former Arsenal man Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Speaking at the club's victory parade on Monday, Kuyt revealed he always believed the title was a realistic possibility for Feyenoord, per BBC Sport: "I knew when I came back two years ago that we could win the championship, and everyone laughed at me when I said so."

Kuyt also called winning the title with Feyenoord "the best moment of my career."

Kuyt established himself as a club legend in two spells at Feyenoord.AFP/Getty Images

The attacker originally joined Feyenoord from FC Utrecht in 2003. It was a prolific first spell, during which Kuyt earned the captain's armband and formed a deadly double act with future Chelsea and Lille OSC man Salomon Kalou.